Sweater and necktie combination with slot in sweater for exposure of necktie

ABSTRACT

A sweater and necktie combination comprising a sweater having a collar, an upper slot and a lower slot. The combination further includes a necktie having a hanging portion, with the hanging portion including an upper hidden area, a middle exposed area with a design thereon and a lower hidden area. The necktie extends through the upper slot and the lower slot such that the upper hidden area and the lower hidden area are located within the sweater and the middle exposed area is located outside of the sweater. A first engaging feature maintains the lower hidden area within the interior of the sweater. A second engaging feature maintains the middle exposed area outside of the sweater.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to clothing, and in particular to a sweater and necktie combination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While some neckties have a general pattern or design thereon, some neckties have designs thereof. Examples of designs on neckties include particular university logos, sporting team logos, holiday designs (e.g., Santa Claus) or any other design. While the designs on neckties can be viewed when only a shirt is worn under the necktie or when a jacket or coat is worn, the design is not visible when the necktie is worn under a sweater. An aspect of the present invention is to provide for the design on the necktie to be always visible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, according to one aspect, is directed to a sweater and necktie combination comprising a sweater having a collar, an upper slot and a lower slot. The combination further includes a necktie having a hanging portion, with the hanging portion including an upper hidden area, a middle exposed area with a design thereon and a lower hidden area. The necktie extends through the upper slot and the lower slot such that the upper hidden area and the lower hidden area are located within the sweater and the middle exposed area is located outside of the sweater. A first engaging feature maintains the lower hidden area within the interior of the sweater. A second engaging feature maintains the middle exposed area outside of the sweater.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of creating a sweater and necktie combination comprising providing a sweater having a collar, an upper slot and a lower slot. The method also includes providing a necktie having a hanging portion, with the hanging portion including an upper hidden area, a middle exposed area with a design thereon and a lower hidden area. The method further includes extending the necktie through the upper slot and the lower slot such that the upper hidden area and the lower hidden area are located within the sweater and the middle exposed area is located outside of the sweater. The method also includes maintaining the lower hidden area within the interior of the sweater and maintaining the middle exposed area outside of the sweater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION. OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a sweater and necktie combination of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a front view of a sweater of the sweater and necktie combination of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a rear partial view of the sweater of the sweater and necktie combination of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the sweater of the sweater and necktie combination of the present invention illustrating a second embodiment of slots therein.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the sweater of the sweater and necktie combination of the present invention illustrating a third embodiment of slots therein.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the sweater of the sweater and necktie combination of the present invention illustrating a fourth embodiment of slots therein.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the sweater of the sweater and necktie combination of the present invention illustrating a fifth embodiment of slots therein.

FIG. 7A is a front view of a necktie of the sweater and necktie combination of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a rear view of the necktie of the sweater and necktie combination of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a front view of a second embodiment of the necktie of the sweater and necktie combination of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a rear view of the second embodiment of the necktie of the sweater and necktie combination of the present invention.

The specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of description herein, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The reference number 10 (FIG. 1) generally designates a sweater and necktie combination of the present invention. In the sweater and necktie combination 10, a necktie 14 extends below and through a sweater 12 to allow a design 30 on the necktie 14 to be exposed and viewed.

In the illustrated example, the sweater 12 is worn by a person and covers at least a portion of the necktie 14. The sweater 12 includes a collar 16 as is well known to those skilled in the art. The collar 16 can have any shape or design (e.g., V-neck, round, crewneck, etc.). A neck surrounding portion 24 of the necktie 14 can typically be seen at the collar 16 and a hanging portion 26 of the necktie 14 hangs downwardly from the neck surrounding portion 24 to be at least partially covered by the sweater 12. A collared shirt 22 can be worn under the sweater 12. The design 30 is at least partially (and typically, totally) shown on the hanging portion 26 of the necktie 14.

The illustrated sweater and necktie combination 10 allows the design 30 on the necktie 14 to be exposed and viewed. As shown in FIG. 1, the sweater 12 includes an upper slot 18 and a lower slot 20. The hanging portion 26 of the necktie 14 coming from the neck surrounding portion 24 includes an upper hidden area 32 covered by the sweater 12, an exposed area 28 having the design 30 thereon, and a lower hidden area 34 also covered by the sweater 12. The necktie 14 of the sweater and necktie combination 10 is configured such that the hanging portion 26 of the necktie 14 extends from an interior of the sweater 12 through the upper slot 18 to an exterior of the sweater 12 and then back into the interior of the sweater 12 through the lower slot 20. It is contemplated that the length of the upper slot 18 and the lower slot 20 could be the same or different and can be any desired distance. Moreover, it is contemplated that the distance from the collar 16 to the upper slot 18 and the distance between the upper slot 18 to the lower slot 20 could be any distance that is sufficient to show at least a portion of the design 30. For example, the distance from the collar 16 to the upper slot 18 could be 2 inches and the distance from the upper slot 18 to the lower slot 20 could be 10 inches.

In the illustrated example, the upper slot 18 and the lower slot 20 can have any configuration to allow the necktie 14 to extend therethrough as described above. Moreover, the upper slot 18 and the lower slot 20 can have the same or different configurations. For example, the upper slot 18 and the lower slot 20 can be horizontal as shown in FIG. 1, the upper slot 18 a and the lower slot 20 a can be curved upward as shown in FIG. 2A, the upper slot 18 b and the lower slot 20 b can form a V as shown in FIG. 3, the upper slot 18 c and the lower slot 20 c can be curved downward as shown in FIG. 4, the upper slot 18 d and the lower slot 20 d can form an invented V as shown in FIG. 5, or the upper slot and the lower slot can be different, such as the upper slot 18 c and the lower slot 20 a as shown in FIG. 6.

The illustrated sweater and necktie combination 10 can be designed to ensure that the lower hidden area 34 remains extending through the lower slot 20, 20 a, etc. and the design 30 remains located between the upper slot 18, 18 a, etc. and the lower slot 20, 20 a, etc. The sweater and necktie combination 10 can include at least one engaging feature to engage the necktie 14 with the sweater 12. A first engaging feature on the necktie 14 can include a lower receptacle 44 located in lower hidden area 34 on a front 42 of the necktie 14 as shown in FIG. 7A. A second engaging feature on the necktie 14 can include an upper receptacle 48 located behind the exposed area 28 on a rear 46 of the necktie 14 as shown in FIG. 7B. The sweater 12 includes engaging features that engage with the engaging features of the necktie 14. A first engaging feature on the sweater 12 that engages with the first engaging feature on the necktie 14 includes a lower button 62 on an interior 38 of the sweater 12 as shown in FIG. 2B. A second engaging feature on the sweater 12 that engages with the second engaging feature on the necktie 14 includes an upper button 60 on an exterior 36 of the sweater 12 as shown in FIG. 2A. During use, the upper button 60 is inserted into the upper receptacle 48 and the lower button 62 is inserted into the lower receptacle 44. Thereby, the lower hidden area 34 remains extending through the lower slot 20, 20 a, etc. and the design 30 remains located between the upper slot 18, 18 a, etc. and the lower slot 20, 20 a, etc.

While the upper receptacle 48 and the lower receptacle 44 are illustrated as extending horizontally, the upper receptacle 48 and the lower receptacle 44 could extend in any direction (e.g., vertical, diagonally, etc.). Moreover, it is contemplated that the first engaging features and the second engaging features could be any feature to connect the necktie 14 to the sweater 12 (e.g., hooks, buttons, hook and loop type fasteners, etc.). Likewise, it is contemplated that the first engaging features and the second engaging features could be different features (e.g., the receptacles and buttons as shown for one of the engaging features and a button for the other engaging feature). Furthermore, it is contemplated that both the first engaging features and the second engaging features could be used or only one of the first engaging features or the second engaging features could be used.

In the illustrated example of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the necktie 14′ includes a weight 50 in the lower hidden area of the necktie 14′ as a first engaging feature to keep the lower hidden area of the necktie below the lower slot 20. The necktie 14 can continue to include the upper button 60 that extending into the receptacle 48′ in the rear 46′ of the necktie 14′.

Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sweater and necktie combination comprising: a sweater having a collar, an upper slot and a lower slot; a necktie having a hanging portion, the hanging portion including an upper hidden area, a middle exposed area with a design thereon and a lower hidden area; the necktie extending through the upper slot and the lower slot such that the upper hidden area and the lower hidden area are located within the sweater and the middle exposed area is located outside of the sweater; a first engaging feature to maintain the lower hidden area within the interior of the sweater; and a second engaging feature to maintain the middle exposed area outside of the sweater.
 2. The sweater and necktie combination according to claim 1, wherein: the first engaging features includes a lower button on a front side of the necktie at the lower hidden area and a lower receptacle in the interior of the sweater; the lower button being received within the lower receptacle.
 3. The sweater and necktie combination according to claim 2, wherein: the second engaging features includes an upper receptacle on a rear side of the necktie at the middle exposed area and an upper button on the exterior of the sweater; the upper button being received within the upper receptacle.
 4. The sweater and necktie combination according to claim 1, wherein: the second engaging features includes an upper receptacle on a rear side of the necktie at the middle exposed area and an upper button on the exterior of the sweater; the upper button being received within the upper receptacle.
 5. The sweater and necktie combination according to claim 1, wherein: the first engaging features includes a weight in the lower hidden area of the necktie.
 6. The sweater and necktie combination according to claim 1, wherein: at least one of the upper slot or the lower slot is straight.
 7. The sweater and necktie combination according to claim 1, wherein: at least one of the upper slot or the lower slot is curved.
 8. The sweater and necktie combination according to claim 1, wherein: at least one of the upper slot or the lower slot is angled.
 9. The sweater and necktie combination according to claim 1, wherein: the upper slot and the lower slot have the same configuration.
 10. The sweater and necktie combination according to claim 1, wherein: the upper slot and the lower slot have different configurations.
 11. A method of creating a sweater and necktie combination comprising: providing a sweater having a collar, an upper slot and a lower slot; providing a necktie having a hanging portion, the hanging portion including an upper hidden area, a middle exposed area with a design thereon and a lower hidden area; extending the necktie through the upper slot and the lower slot such that the upper hidden area and the lower hidden area are located within the sweater and the middle exposed area is located outside of the sweater; maintaining the lower hidden area within the interior of the sweater; and maintaining the middle exposed area outside of the sweater.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: maintaining the lower hidden area within the interior of the sweater comprises receiving a lower button on a front side of the necktie at the lower hidden area within a lower receptacle in the interior of the sweater.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: maintaining the middle exposed area outside of the sweater comprises receiving an upper button on the exterior of the sweater within an upper receptacle on a rear side of the necktie at the middle exposed area.
 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein: maintaining the middle exposed area outside of the sweater comprises receiving an upper button on the exterior of the sweater within an upper receptacle on a rear side of the necktie at the middle exposed area.
 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein: maintaining the lower hidden area within the interior of the sweater comprises placing a weight in the lower hidden area of the necktie.
 16. The method according to claim 11, wherein: at least one of the upper slot or the lower slot is straight.
 17. The method according to claim 11, wherein: at least one of the upper slot or the lower slot is curved.
 18. The method according to claim 11, wherein: at least one of the upper slot or the lower slot is angled.
 19. The method according to claim 11, wherein: the upper slot and the lower slot have the same configuration.
 20. The method according to claim 11, wherein: the upper slot and the lower slot have different configurations. 